Universal joint.



F. Bum. UNIVERSAL JOINT.

APPLICATION FILED APR. I6 1911.

,255,87 Patented Feb. 19, 1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

5mm/tofs "SM-MMM FRANK BURTT, OF KALAMAZQO, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOB. lTO WILLIAM L. FITZGERALD AND ALBERT TEN BUSSCHEN, BOTH OF KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN.

UNIVERSAL JOINT.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 19,1918.

Application 1ed'Apr116, 1917. Serial No.l 162,481.

To all whom z't may concern.'

Be it known that I, FRANK BURTT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Kalamazoo, in Athe county of Kalamazoo and State of Michigam` have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Universal Joints, of which the following is a speciication.

This invention relates to improvements in universal joints.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide an improved universal joint having adjustable bearin permitting adjustment in assembling an to take up wear.

Second, to provide an improved universal joint which is'very strong and durable.

Third, to provide an improved universal joint having these advantages which is quite economical 1n its parts and one in which the parts are easily assembled and disassembled as occasion requires.

-Further objects, and objects relating to structural details, will ydefinitely appear from the detailed description ,to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my inventionI by the devices and means described in the following specification. The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure which is a. preferred embodiment of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, in which: Figure I is a side elevation of my improved universal joint a portion of one member and the casing being in section. l

Fig. II is a longitudinal section on the line corresponding to line 2-"2 of Fig. I.

Fig.lIII is a transverse section on a line corresponding to line 3-3 of Figs. I and II, the casing being omitted from this view and parts of the bearing and journal members bein lshown in full lines.

. Fig. is a detail side elevation opposite Athat of Fig. I.

,taken looking in the direction ofthe little arrows at the ends of the section lines.

Referring to the drawing. the reference characters'l and 1a indicate the driving and driven members of my improved joint.y vIt should be understood that either member may be used as the driving member. The member 1 is provided with a disk-shaped iange 1 which is adapted to be bolted or otherwise connected to a ange on one section of the shaft or other part to be coupled. The member 1a is adapted toslidably receive the end of the other shaft section The shaft members of the embodiment illustrated are provided with cross arms 2 terminating in cylindrical heads 3. These heads have openings 4 in their inner sides adapted to receive the spherical bearing members 5 of the coupling member 6. This coupling member 6 is in the form of a cross, its arms terminating, in the spherical bearing members 5. The bearing members 7 are threaded into the heads 3 of the shaft members and are provided with concave bearing faces coacting with the spherical bearings of the coupling member, as clearly shown in Fig. III.

The endsy of the bearing members 7 are preferably providedwith radial notches 8 adapted to receive locking keys. The yokeshaped locking keys 9 are formed of pieces of wire. The central portions of the locking keys are engaged in slots formed in the bossesll formed on the cylindrical heads.

The arms of the locking keys are engaged in the notches 8 under spring tension so that they are not likely to become accidentally disengaged. As many of the key notches 8 and IV. By this arrangement the locking keys can be efectively mounted on the shaft members and the bearing members securely retained in their adjusted positions. The adjustment is such as to provide for accuracy in the assembling of the parts and the taking up of wear.

` I provide my improved joint with a cupshaped casing 12, the edge of which is anged and bolted to the fiange 1 by means of bolts 13. The casing is provided with a central opening 14 through which the shaft member 1 projects.' A curved annular cap 15 is carried by the member 1tl and closes the opening between the casing 12 and the member 1a. The cap 15I is urged against the casingby means of the spring 16, a felt pack- My improved universaljoint isl capable of sustaining ve severe strains and 1s very vdurable and-'may be successfully operated at a considerable angle. I have illustrated my improved joint in detail in an embodiment which consider very practical. I

.have not attempted to illustrate or dereceive the arms of a cross "ournal member,

l' in opposed pairs transversely oi said said cylindrical heads lhaving' locking key supporting studs, a cross journal member having spherical bearing members at the ends of its arms 'disposed 1n said openings of said heads, bearing blocks threaded into said heads in opposed pairs and having concave bearing faces coacting with said spherical bearing members ci said'journal member, the outer ends of said bearing members being provided with radial llocking key notches, and spring locking keys mounted on said studs lon said cylinder heads with their arms engaged under tension in the notches of said bearing members.

2. In a universal joint, the combination of shaft members provided with cross arms terminatin in cylindrical heads having central invvar ly facing openings adapted to receive the arms of a cross journal member, a cross journal member having spherical bearing members at the ends oi its armsdisposed in said openingsof said heads, bearing blocks threadedinto each of said h eads ournal member arms and having concave bearing faces coacting with said spherical bearing members of said 'ournal member.

3. In a universal joint, the combination of shaft members provided with openings adapted to receive the arms of a cross journal member, said vshaft members having -of said shaft' members, bearin locking key snppmtingA studs, a cross journal member-,havin bearing members yat the' ends of its arms' risposed in said openings blocks threaded into said heads in opmse pairs to coact 'with said bearing members of said journal member, the outer ends of said bearmg members being provided with radial 'locking key notches, and spring locking keys :pasean bers with their arms engaged in the notches of said bearing members.

4. In a universal joint, the combination -of shaft members provided with openings mounted on said studs on said -shaft memof shaft vmembers provided with openings adapted to receive the arms of a cross journal member, a cross journal member having bearing members at the ends of its arms disposed in said openings of said shaft members, 'bearing'blocks threaded into said shaft members in opposed pairs and having bearing faces coacting With said bearing members of said journal member, the outer ends of said bearing members being provided with radial locking key notches, and spring locking keys mounted on said shait members and engaged in said notches of sai bearing members.

6. ln a universal joint, the combination of shaft members provided with openings adapted to receivethe arms of a cross journal member, a cross journal member having bearin members at the endsv of its arms disposed in said openings of said shaft members, bearing blocks threaded into said shait members in opposed pairs transversely of said journal member arms and having bearing faces coacting with said bearing members of said journal member.

7. In a universal joint, the combination of shaftl members Aprovided with openings adapted to receive the arms of a cross jonrnal member, a cross journal member having spherical members at the ends ot its arms rie disposed in said openings of said shaft members, and bearingvblocks threaded into said shaft members in opposed pairs transversely of said journal member arms and having l concave bearing faces enacting with said lbearing members oi said journal member.

in Witness whereof, l have' hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence 'of twmwit- 

